Translation of the meanings of surah Al-Anbiyaa (1)

(1) (1) [The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.

(2) (2) No mention [i.e., revelation] comes to them anew from their Lord except that they listen to it while they are at play

(3) (3) With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], "Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]?"

(4) (4) He [the Prophet (ﷺ)] said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."

(5) (5) But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."

(6) (6) Not a [single] city which We destroyed believed before them,[872] so will they believe?

[872]- Even though they had witnessed signs and miracles.

(7) (7) And We sent not before you, [O Muḥammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.

(8) (8) And We did not make them [i.e., the prophets] forms not eating food,[873] nor were they immortal [on earth].

[873]- Like the angels. Rather, they were human beings with human attributes.

(9) (9) Then[874] We fulfilled for them the promise, and We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.

[874]- Once they had conveyed the message.

(10) (10) We have certainly sent down to you a Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in which is your mention.[875] Then will you not reason?

[875]- This implies the honor of having been mentioned or addressed. Another meaning is "your reminder."

(11) (11) And how many a city which was unjust[876] have We shattered and produced after it another people.

[876]- i.e., its inhabitants persisting in wrongdoing.

(12) (12) And when they [i.e., its inhabitants] perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it.

(13) (13) [Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned."[877]

[877]- About what happened to you. This is said to them in sarcasm and ridicule.

(14) (14) They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

(15) (15) And that declaration of theirs did not cease until We made them [as] a harvest [mowed down], extinguished [like a fire].

(16) (16) And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play.

(17) (17) Had We intended to take a diversion,[878] We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so.

[878]- Such as a wife or a child.

(18) (18) Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it,[879] and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.[880]

[879]- Literally, "strikes its brain," disabling or killing it. [880]- Of untruth concerning Allāh, particularly here, the claim that He has a son or other "partner" in divinity.

(19) (19) To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him [i.e., the angels] are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire.

(20) (20) They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken.

(21) (21) Or have they [i.e., men] taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]?

(22) (22) Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

(23) (23) He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.

(24) (24) Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muḥammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur’ān] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me."[881] But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away.

[881]- All previous prophets called for the worship of Allāh alone.

(25) (25) And We sent not before you any messenger except We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."

(26) (26) And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they[882] are [but] honored servants.

[882]- Those they claim to be "children" of Allāh, such as the angels, Ezra, Jesus, etc.

(27) (27) They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.

(28) (28) He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them,[883] and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.

[883]- See footnote to 2:255.

(29) (29) And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him" - that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.

(30) (30) Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?

(31) (31) And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided.

(32) (32) And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs,[884] are turning away.

[884]- The signs present in the heavens.

(33) (33) And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.

(34) (34) And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?

(35) (35) Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.

(36) (36) And when those who disbelieve see you, [O Muḥammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one who mentions [i.e., insults] your gods?" And they are, at the mention of the Most Merciful, disbelievers.

(37) (37) Man was created of haste [i.e., impatience]. I will show you My signs [i.e., vengeance], so do not impatiently urge Me.

(38) (38) And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"

(39) (39) If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not avert the Fire from their faces or from their backs and they will not be aided...[885]

[885]- The completion of the sentence is understood to be "...they would not be asking in disbelief and ridicule to be shown the punishment."

(40) (40) Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.

(41) (41) And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.

(42) (42) Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.

(43) (43) Or do they have gods to defend them other than Us? They are unable [even] to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.

(44) (44) But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders?[886] Is it they who will overcome?

[886]- See footnote to 13:41.

(45) (45) Say, "I only warn you by revelation." But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned.

(46) (46) And if [as much as] a whiff of the punishment of your Lord should touch them, they would surely say, "O woe to us! Indeed, we have been wrongdoers."

(47) (47) And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed,[887] We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.

[887]- i.e., anything as small or insignificant as a mustard seed.

(48) (48) And We had already given Moses and Aaron the criterion and a light and a reminder[888] for the righteous

[888]- These are three qualities of the Torah.

(49) (49) Who fear their Lord unseen,[889] while they are of the Hour apprehensive.

[889]- Which can mean "Him being unseen" by them or "though they are unseen" by others.

(50) (50) And this [Qur’ān] is a blessed message which We have sent down. Then are you with it unacquainted?[890]